(Pakistan News & Features Services)
As part of its commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030, AKU is investing in solar arrays on its campuses in Karachi.
Three new solar installations will cut the University’s carbon footprint by more than 365,000 kg per year, the equivalent to 1.5 million kilometers travelled in a medium sized car. Three buildings are being fitted with a 550 kW solar photovoltaic system.
These include the Sports and Rehabilitation Centre and Utilities Building on the Stadium Road campus, as well as a smaller installation on the Utilities Building in Education City, Karachi. Once all 1021 panels at all three locations have been installed, they are expected to generate nearly 500,000 kWh of carbon neutral electricity per year.
“AKU’s first solar power project in Pakistan is a key step forward to realising our environment and climate ambitions. Using renewable, clean energy brings not only cost savings but benefits people and the planet alikem,” the AKU President, Sulaiman Shahabuddin, remarked at the inauguration of the installation at the Sports Centre.
Over the last decade, solar power has become one of the cheapest electricity sources, particularly suitable for locations such as Pakistan with a high number of sunny days. Once installed, solar energy requires no inputs, reduces operational costs and can improve the environment for the local community by reducing noise and air pollution.
“We are proud to say that currently, AKU is the only university and only healthcare provider in Pakistan having a publicly committed net zero carbon target. Our goal is to champion good stewardship of the environment: to mitigate the effects of climate change from our activities, and support resilience in the communities we serve,” the AKU President declared.
